PROFILE

이민재 교수

A novel molecular etiology in Alzheimer’s disease: endopeptidase-mediated tau fragmentation

- The tau aggregation core (tau-AC) acts as a primary driver of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology.

- These findings suggest that early tau fragmentation is the fundamental causal trigger not just for AD, but across a wide spectrum of tauopathies.

- We have recently identified an endopeptidase which is responsible for tau cleavage and is validating its role in tau-related clinical and neuropathological changes.

서울대학교 의과대학

EDUCATION

2002-2007, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

(Major: Biochemistry)

2000-2002, M.S., Seoul National University, Department of Chemistry (Major: Biochemistry)

1993-2000, B.S., Seoul National University, Department of Chemistry (1995-1997, served in the ROK Army)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2015-Present, Assistant/Associate/Professor, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Department of Biomedical Sciences

2023-2024, Visiting Professor, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Laboratory Pathology, School of Medicine

2011-2015, Assistant Professor, Kyung Hee University, Department of Applied Chemistry

2007-2011, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Department of Cell Biology (Advisor: Daniel Finley, PhD)

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES & OTHERS

2026-2027, Associate Dean for Research, Seoul National University College of Medicine
2027, Chair, KSMCB Strategy and Planning Committee
2026, Chair, KSMCB Public Affair Committee
2024, Chair, KSBMB Academic Affair Committee
2022–2023, Director, Core Research Facility of Seoul National University College of Medicine
2021–2024, Korea Research Foundation Review Board (RB) Member (Area: Biochemistry)